Smart and Tough: The New Ford Ranger

AutoIndustriya x Ford / | September 09, 2016 17:44

Going Further through capability and innovation

The Ford Ranger: Tough, gruff and ready to rock. Thanks to powerful engines and tougher mechanicals, Ford's global pick up is more capable than it has ever been, with an ability to drive more, pull more, and haul more.

The Ranger is no one-trick pony though, as the modern pick-up trucker demands much more than just a workhorse. A truck needs to be just as comfortable, just as stylish, and just as packed with tech to match the modern lifestyle, all while having the capability to get the toughest of jobs done.

Command Attention

Historically, trucks were mostly seen on ranches or the provinces, fulfilling their roles as trucks with a capital T. But today's truckers are more sophisticated in the design department; they demand looks that will stand out amidst a field, just as much as it can turn heads in the metropolis. On that, the Ranger takes the lead.

The Ford Ranger commands attention wherever you drive it. The muscular body, the striking design, and the wide array of colors make the Ranger a presence rarely seen in the pick-up category. Once inside the very modern cabin, you wouldn't think you were in a pick-up unless you actually looked out the back.

Clearly the Ranger offers a style and feel above and beyond that of a truck, and we're not even talking about the more prominent Wildtrak version.

Innovation Everywhere

Underneath its tough exterior is a host of innovations that makes the Ranger smarter than your average smart truck

For starters, Wildtrak models feature Ford's SYNC 2 infotainment system that allows you to control and adjust vehicle and entertainment settings through its integrated voice command system keeping your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. Aside from that it also offers various connectivity options such as Bluetooth to link your smartphone to the system, allowing you to stream music and store contacts on the go. No more excuses for picking up your phone while driving. The Ranger is also equipped with several USB ports, so you can stay connected wherever you are. As a bonus, there's even a 230 volt socket at the back to keep your devices charged on the go.

Safe & Secure

The Ranger is a shining example of Ford's commitment to safety. It packs dual airbags and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution even on the work-horse spec XLS model. In the XLT, it adds cruise control with adjustable speed limiter, Electronic Stability Program, Hill Start Assist and Trailer Sway Control.

On top of the safety features equipped in the XLT, the Wildtrak models get six airbags and Hill-Descent Control. Opt for the top-dog 3.2-liter Wildtrak, and you get Lane Keeping Assist System, Collision Mitigation System, plus Adaptive Load Control which prevents suspension sag and adjusts the stability control's settings to cope with the extra weight.

In the event of a collision, the Ranger's tough chassis is more than capable of keeping you unharmed. In the latest test by the ASEAN New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), the Ranger scored five stars, the institute's highest rating. With all these passive and active safety systems working in harmony, it's safe to say that the Ranger is not only tough; it's a well thought-out pickup as well.

All Conditions Confidence

Don't think for a minute that this pickup has gone soft. Regardless if you choose the two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive model, the Ranger can clear through tough obstacles in its path with its impressive 237 millimeters of ground clearance. Also, with a wading depth capacity of 800 millimeters, the Ranger has the ability to ford through floods with little effort. The Ranger makes sure that you get to where you're going, even on the beaten path.

Haul All

Not just that, the Ranger is every bit as utilitarian as is needs to be. The mean reason for buying a pickup is the bed and, in that department, the Ranger delivers the goods. With a bed that measures 1,549 millimeters long, 1,560 millimeters wide and 511 mm tall, giving it the widest bed in its class. In lay man's terms this means you can load in large items with little effort.

The Ford Ranger has the ability to take in a lot of cargo, but carrying all that weight is a different matter. Backing up the Ranger's loading capacity credentials is its high payload capacity. Even with its base engine, maximum payload is rated at an impressive 1,120 kilograms. Go for the range-topping Wildtrak and that figure jumps to a class-leading 1,199 kilograms. In the event that you do run out of space in the bed, one can always make the most of the Ranger's 3,500 kilogram towing capacity.

Absolute Power

Not only can the Ranger haul a lot of cargo, it has more than enough grunt to keep it moving when the going gets tough.

You get a choice of two engines in the Ranger. It starts with the 2.2-liter Duratorq TDCI with an output 160 PS and 385 Nm of torque which serves as the standard engine for the XLT and Wildtrak. If you need (or want) more power, there's also the five-cylinder, 3.2-liter Duratorq TDCI that produces 200 PS and 470 Nm of torque which is an option for the top of the line Wildtrak. All of these engines can be paired to a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic, as well as two wheel drive or four wheel drive.

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Strength has always been at the core of the pick-up truck, that's a given. Go anywhere, haul anything, and traverse over all kinds of terrain in your way.

That's what trucking has always been about, but with the Ranger, Ford proves that trucks can be made smart too.

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